Badminton first-timers: Tom Jackson — the 'inappropriate' first horse taking his rider to his first four-star

TOM JACKSON riding WALTHAM FIDDLERS FIND during Cross Country phase of the CCI*** Under 25; during the Bramham International Horse Trial in Bramham Park, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, UK on 13th June 2015

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Ten years ago, a 14-year-old Tom Jackson was on the lookout for his first horse after he grew too big for his pony.

“We went to a local dealer, cheekily more for me to get a feel of what a horse felt like to ride rather than to actually buy one,” confesses Tom. “I sat on this gangly, cheap four-year-old that cribbed. He was completely inappropriate and not what we were looking for, but we bought him.”

And so the partnership blossomed. In 2010 they won the junior one-star at Weston Park and the following year they won team gold at the junior European championships. In 2013 they won team silver at the young rider Europeans and team bronze the following year. They then went on to win the under-25 championship at Bramham in 2014 and then once again won team bronze at the young rider Europeans. This and more strong results at three-star level culminated in selection for the senior European championships at Blair in 2015. But disaster struck.

“Just before Blair we found a small tear in one of his suspensory branches which ended our senior team dreams abruptly,” says Tom. “We gave him plenty of time off but then during the winter of 2016, we found his sesamoid ligament was also damaged, which forced him to have most of last year off too. It was so disappointing, but the worst thing was seeing Wesley so depressed while stuck in his stable on box rest.”

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Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.

Badminton first-timers: Tom Jackson — the ‘inappropriate’ first horse taking his rider to his first four-star

Badminton final scores

When the vet gave Wesley the go ahead for Badminton earlier this year, Tom says it was a case of “now or never”.

“Wesley has clocked some miles up over the course of his career, so we thought we’ve got to go for Badminton now, or we might not get another chance,” he explains. “It has always been a dream to ride at four-star, and now it is about to become a reality.”

Wesley, who is owned by Tom’s parents, Ian and Sara, is something of a comedian in the stable.

“He loves to make fun for himself,” says Tom. “Pulling off his headcollar and then running off and also removing his own rugs are among his favourite tricks.”

But all is forgiven when it comes to performing on the competitive stage.

“He is amazing. He’s a phenomenal cross-country horse, a good jumper and is solid on the flat,” says Tom, who trains with Pippa Funnell and Sammy Newbury.

Continued below…

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